MSI Creates new Radeon RX 5600 XT Gaming Z SKU due to performance firmware updates
It has been widely addressed by us already. But AMD created a lot of confusion by changing the specs for the OC/factory tweaked Radeon RX 5600 XT graphics cards. Yesterday we already reported that we would not launch our Radeon RX 5600 XT Gaming X review as MSI was still finalizing the firmware update.
MSI today dropped that new vBIOS, which we'll test of course, however, they also face the fact that gaming X models already reached the market, creating a lot of confusion. So they decided that the Gaming X model will retain the firmware with just the TGP tweak. And now create another SKU called the Gaming Z, which holds the new performance firmware + a GDDR6 data-rate increase towards 14 Gbps..
RX 5600 XT GAMING Z |
Boost |
Game |
Memory speed |
Core Clock |
1750 MHz |
1615 MHz |
14 Gbps |
RX 5600 XT GAMING X |
Boost |
Game |
Memory speed |
Original BIOS |
1620 MHz |
1460 MHz |
12 Gbps |
New BIOS for GAMING X |
1750 MHz |
1615 MHz |
12 Gbps |
Senior Member
Posts: 5872
Joined: 2004-01-28
Agreed,so that's three different versions of the same card. I'm curious to know how many cards went out with the original bios? That's bound to upset some people who have to update it themselves especially if they encounter any kind of issues.
Senior Member
Posts: 1288
Joined: 2014-04-21
Well that kills off getting a second hand 1080.

Senior Member
Posts: 280
Joined: 2003-03-17
I'm not sure I see the point in releasing a new SKU in response to the firmware update, but then releasing a firmware update for the existing card anyway. Why not just stick with the X?
Senior Member
Posts: 275
Joined: 2012-06-19
Initially this was the card i had in mind ... Now, currently only 3 cards listed on sale here in Denmark. The MSI Gaming X (not Z) listed at 2930 Dkr (431 US $) vs the Asus TUF one listed at 2349 Dkr (346 US $) weird pricing that... I hope we get a Guru Review of the TUF variant

Senior Member
Posts: 9797
Joined: 2011-09-21
I'm sorry but this is more confusing than the super line up. There is huge swings in performance within the same product (5600xt) this will not be a good look.